The boundaries of the Town of Western were established in 1797 from the original Town of Steuben which emcompassed a very large area.  The name Western came from the fact that this town was the western portion of the original township.  It then included what is now the Town of Lee, which was set off in 1811.  The first town meeting was held at the house of Ezekiel Sheldon on April 4, 1797.